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Abstract:

An earbud adapter or in-ear monitor includes an Ear Interface that fits
the human ear and further permits the wearer of these devices to adjust
parameters of the fit. In additional aspects, the Ear Interface portion
of these devices permits the user to adjust the transmission of ambient
sound. The Ear Interface portion also allows the user to change
ornamentation.

Claims:

1. An earpiece system, comprising: a first portion having a major surface
that defines a concave Crus Relief feature; and a second portion
extending from the first portion and forming a sound tunnel having an
opening at an end opposite the first portion.

2. The earpiece system of claim 1, further comprising a traction feature
including a plurality of grooves oriented generally transversely to the
major surface defining the Crus Relief feature.

3. The earpiece system of claim 2, wherein the traction feature includes
first and second groups of grooves situated on respective first and
second sides of the Crus Relief feature.

4. The earpiece system of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes an
earbud receiver chamber for receiving an earbud.

5. The earpiece system of claim 1, wherein the first portion defines a
first central axis and the opening of the second portion defines a second
central axis oriented generally parallel to the first central axis, and
wherein the first central axis is offset relative to the second central
axis.

6. The earpiece system of claim 1, further comprising foam material
attached to the Crus Relief feature.

7. The earpiece system of claim 2, wherein the traction feature is
positioned to interact with a posterior region of a Concha behind an
Anti-Helix of an ear of a wearer of the earpiece system.

8. An earpiece system, comprising: a first portion having a major
surface; a traction feature including a plurality of grooves oriented
generally transversely to the major surface; and a second portion
extending from the first portion and forming a sound tunnel having an
opening at an end opposite the first portion.

9. The earpiece system of claim 8, further comprising a concave Crus
Relief feature defined by the major surface of the first portion.

10. The earpiece system of claim 8, wherein the first portion includes an
earbud receiver chamber for receiving an earbud.

11. An ear interface for an ear phone, which physically engages with and
acoustically connects to a user's ear, the interface comprising: a
hollow, flexible body that is adapted to fit in the concha of the user's
ear, the body having a generally oval perimeter that generally
corresponds to the perimeter of the concha, the body further having a
smooth, generally flat oval contact face adapted to overlie the surface
of the concha of the user's ear, the contact face having an elongate crus
relief groove extending transversely across it for accommodating the crus
of helix of the user's ear; a first portion of the perimeter of the body
being adapted to fit under the tragus and an adjacent second portion of
the perimeter of the body being adapted to fit under the antitragus when
the body is engaged in the concha; and a tube projecting from the
generally flat oval contact face adjacent one end, and adapted to extend
into the user's ear canal, the tube having a circumference less than the
circumference of the ear canal so that the tube does not contact the
surface of the ear canal around its entire circumference.

12. The ear interface according to claim 11 further comprising a
plurality of recesses in the second portion of the perimeter, defining a
plurality of raised traction features for engaging the wall of the concha
of the user's ear below the antitragus.

13. The ear interface according to claim 11 further comprising a
plurality of recesses in the perimeter of the body, generally opposite
from the tube, defining a plurality of raised traction features for
engaging the wall of the concha.

14. The ear interface according to claim 11 wherein the tube projects
from the contact face at an angle of about 100.degree..

15. The ear interface according to claim 11 wherein the crus relief
groove narrows in width from one side of the contact face to the other.

16. The ear interface according to claim 11 wherein the crus relief
groove has a thinner wall thickness than the remainder of the contact
face.

17. An earphone for connection to audio source, the earphone comprising:
a speaker and an ear interface for physically engaging with and
acoustically connecting to a user's ear, the interface comprising a
hollow, flexible body that is adapted to fit in the concha of the user's
ear, the body having a generally oval perimeter that generally
corresponds to the perimeter of the concha, the body further having a
smooth, generally flat oval contact face adapted to overlie the surface
of the concha of the user's ear, the contact face having an elongate crus
relief groove extending transversely across it for accommodating the crus
of helix of the user's ear; a first portion of the perimeter of the body
being adapted to fit under the tragus and an adjacent second portion of
the perimeter of the body being adapted to fit under the antitragus when
the body is engaged in the concha; and a tube projecting from the
generally flat oval contact face adjacent one end, and adapted to extend
into the user's ear canal, the tube having a circumference less than the
circumference of the ear canal so that the tube does not contact the
surface of the ear canal around its entire circumference.

18. The earphone according to claim 17, wherein the ear interface further
comprises a plurality of recesses in the second portion of the perimeter,
defining a plurality of raised traction features for engaging the wall of
the concha of the user's ear below the antitragus.

19. The earphone according to claim 17 wherein the ear interface further
comprises a plurality of recesses in the perimeter of the body, generally
opposite from the tube, defining a plurality of raised traction features
for engaging the wall of the concha.

20. The earphone according to claim 17 wherein the tube of the ear
interface projects from the contact face at an angle of about
100.degree..

21. The earphone according to claim 17 wherein the crus relief groove of
each ear interface narrows in width from one side of the contact face to
the other.

22. The earphone according to claim 17 wherein the crus relief groove of
each interface has a thinner wall thickness than the remainder of the
contact face.

23. An ear interface for an ear phone, which physically engages with and
acoustically connects to a user's ear, the interface comprising: a
hollow, flexible body that is adapted to fit in the concha of the user's
ear, the body having a generally oval perimeter that generally
corresponds to the perimeter of the concha, the body further having a
smooth, generally flat oval contact face adapted to overlie the surface
of the concha of the user's ear, the contact face having an elongate crus
relief groove extending transversely across it for accommodating the crus
of helix of the user's ear, the crus relief groove narrowing in width
from one side of the contact face to the other; a first portion of the
perimeter of the body being adapted to fit under the tragus when the body
is engaged in the concha, and an adjacent second portion of the perimeter
of the body being adapted to fit under the antitragus when the body is
engaged in the concha, a plurality of recesses in the second portion of
the perimeter, defining a plurality of raised traction features for
engaging the wall of the concha of the user's ear below the antitragus;
and a tube projecting from the generally flat oval contact face adjacent
one end, at an angle of about 100.degree., the tube adapted to extend
into the user's ear canal, the tube having a circumference less than the
circumference of the ear canal so that the tube does not contact the
surface of the ear canal around its entire circumference.

24. The ear interface according to claim 23 further comprising a
plurality of recesses in the perimeter of the body, generally opposite
from the tube, defining a plurality of raised traction features for
engaging the wall of the concha.

25. The ear interface according to claim 23 wherein the crus relief
groove has a thinner wall thickness than the remainder of the contact
face.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Utility Patent Application is a continuation of and claims
priority to PCT/U.S. 2010/033197, filed Apr. 30, 2010, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/174,305, filed Apr. 30,
2009, entitled: EAR INTERFACE, both disclosures of which are incorporated
herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable music players and portable telephones are becoming
increasingly common. Owners of these and similar devices often prefer to
use them in conjunction with personal sound delivery devices, such as
headphones or earbuds. These devices are worn, for example, while driving
(e.g. telephone headset), exercising, traveling, studying, or the like.

[0003] Nearly all music players and portable phones have standard earbuds
as an accessory, including standard Ear Interfaces that often do not stay
in the user's ears or become uncomfortable over time or do a poor job of
blocking ambient sounds.

[0004] A proper fitting Ear Interface can provide the benefit of ambient
noise isolation or suppression similarly to how earplugs block sound.
However, the Ear Interfaces of standard earbuds often do not fit well
enough to accomplish this.

[0005] In an attempt to address the above described standard Ear Interface
fit problems, some companies offer kits of different size earbud
adapters. The user selects, through a process of trial and error, the
earbud adapter with an Ear Interface that fits his ear the best. While
the probability of a better fit is thus increased, it is still inadequate
because the variation in human ear anatomy is too great to be
accommodated with a kit of Ear Interfaces that is necessarily limited in
its range of shapes and sizes. Furthermore, this approach requires the
user to try on each earbud adapter and determine, sometimes over several
hours use, if its Ear Interface provides the best fit. Finally, once the
adapter with the optimal Ear Interface is selected, the remaining
adapters are useless and this results in material waste.

[0006] Some companies provide an earbud adapter comprising a single
flexible Ear Interface where the user is able to adjust its shape and
size; an elastic material (typically some sort of foam) is compressed and
inserted into the ear canal. The material then expands to conform to the
inner surfaces of the user's ear canal anatomy. This flexibility or
compliance partially addresses the above mentioned problems with kits,
but the extent of the flexibility or compliance is necessarily limited to
provide optimal results for a small range of anatomy centered on the
average ear. When purchasing this product, the user will typically not
know in advance whether his ears will fall within the range of the
adapter's accommodation. If his ears fall outside that range, the
resulting pressure will likely result in pain at locations known as pain
points within the ear.

[0007] To solve the above mentioned problems, other companies supply full
custom earbuds or earbud adapters. They do this by first injecting a soft
material into the user's ear to form a physical impression or mold. The
mold supplies the ear shape information that is then used to manufacture
a full custom fitted Ear Interface portion of the earbud or earbud
adapter. While this full custom approach would seem to solve the problems
outlined above, there remains a number of inadequacies: [0008] A
significant amount of skilled labor is required elevating, the production
cost. [0009] Production costs are further increased because the full
custom approach necessarily precludes mass production. [0010] The user
must undergo the molding process which can be uncomfortable, scary, and
time consuming. [0011] Also, the user must wait at least several business
days while the full custom solution is built and shipped. [0012] The mold
material, once injected into the ear, exerts a small pressure on the ear
tissues as it solidifies. Some of the ear tissues are soft and are
deformed by this pressure. The resulting custom ear adapter, when
inserted into the ear, will therefore deform those ear tissues possibly
leading to discomfort, especially when the adapter is in the ear for
longer intervals. [0013] In the process of manufacturing the adapter
based on information provided by the mold, the skilled technician must
interpret the mold; the mold may have had bubbles on its surface or may
show visual evidence, detectable to the expert eye, of not having been in
contact with the ear while it was solidifying. The skilled technician
must then modify the adapter accordingly. [0014] If the Ear Interface
portion does not fit perfectly, a manual adjustment may be needed wherein
a skilled technician erodes its shape, typically using a rotary grinder
such as a Dremel tool, to relieve pressure on the known pain points
within the ear such as the Crus of Helix, the Tragus, the Anti-Tragus and
the Anti-Helix.

[0015] For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present
invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the
embodiments of the present invention and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of
the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by
reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the
drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like
reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

[0017] FIG. 1a illustrates a pair of standard earbuds each comprising a
standard Ear Interface made to go into the Concha (bowl) of the ear.

[0018] FIG. 1b illustrates a standard earbud comprising a standard Ear
Interface made to go into the ear canal of the ear.

[0019] FIG. 1c illustrates a pair of standard earbuds comprising a
standard Ear Interface made to go into the Concha (bowl) of the ear with
loops made to go over the ears and prevent the earbuds from falling out
of the ears.

[0023] Fires 5a and 5b are maps of the outer ear anatomy with known pain
points labeled.

[0024]FIG. 5c is a Venn diagram illustrating how the entirety of ear
anatomies spanning the world of possible customers is partitioned into
Target Subsets.

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a semi-custom earbud adapter shaped to minimize
contact with the Tragus and with an ear canal portion shaped to make a
less than 360° fit to the inner surface of the ear canal.

[0026] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrates a semi-custom earbud for Concha type
earbuds and comprising a landing tailored for the posterior region of the
Concha, Crus Relief and traction features.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a semi-custom earbud adapter
designed for Concha type earbuds and comprising a landing tailored for
the posterior region of the Concha, Crus Relief and traction features.

[0028]FIG. 9 illustrates a semi-custom earbud adapter with foam to
relieve pressure on the Crus.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a semi-custom earbud adapter designed for
Concha type earbuds, including a section of the sound tunnel.

[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates a semi-custom earbud adapter designed for canal
type earbuds, with the earbud installed into the adapter and section
views.

[0031] FIGS. 12a and 12b are perspective views of a semi-custom earbud
adapter for canal type earbuds, with a material installed in the
adapter's compliance chambers.

[0032] FIG. 12c is a sectional view of a semi-custom earbud adapter for
canal type earbuds, with no material installed in the adapter's
compliance chambers.

[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates a semi-custom earbud adapter where the Concha
portion of the earbud adapter is smaller in diameter than a Concha type
earbud and where traction features improve the stay-in power of the
adapter.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a section view of a Concha type earbud adapter that
illustrates its earbud received chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by
way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top,"
"bottom," "front," "back," "leading," "trailing," etc., is used with
reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because
components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a
number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for
purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or
logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not
to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention
is defined by the appended claims.

[0036] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a mass
produced semi-custom earbud adapter or mass produced semi-custom earbud
monitor comprises an Ear Interface that fits the human ear and further
permits the wearer of these devices to adjust parameters of the fit. In
additional aspects, the Ear Interface portion of these devices permits
the user to adjust the transmission of ambient sound. The Ear Interface
portion also allows the user to change ornamentation.

[0037] Ear Interface herein means a portion of a personal sound delivery
device or of an adapter thereto which firstly, physically contacts the
human ear; secondly, affects a characteristic of said physical contact to
the human ear; and thirdly, conducts sound into the human ear.

[0038] An earbud herein means a personal sound delivery device that fits
substantially within the outer ear and which comprises an acoustic
emitter. Most earbuds in common use today are standard,
one-size-fits-all, earbuds and therefore, comprise a standard Ear
Interface not having been fabricated according to the user's specific ear
anatomy.

[0039] An in-ear monitor herein means an earbud wherein its Ear Interface
is either custom or semi-custom fabricated to accommodate the user's
specific ear anatomy.

[0040] An earbud adapter herein means a physical adapter that firstly,
physically and acoustically connects to an earbud and; secondly,
comprises an Ear Interface which physically and acoustically connects to
the user's ear. An earbud adapter does not include an acoustic emitter.

[0041] An earpiece herein refers generically to either an earbud or an
earbud adapter.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1a, a pair of prior art earbuds has an Ear
Interface that is standard. Only one shape and size is available and so
no attempt to accommodate varying ear anatomy is made. This earbud is
made to fit into the Concha of the ear.

[0043] Other earbuds are made to fit into the ear canal (FIG. 1b). Most of
these ear-canal type earbuds have an Ear Interface comprised of foam end
pieces that the user compresses before inserting the earbud into the ear
canal. Once inserted, as the foam expands, it conforms to the anatomy of
the ear canal. The foam makes these Ear Interfaces adjustable and the
product, as manufactured, does not vary from one customer to another.

[0044] FIG. 1c illustrates a pair of standard earbuds 19 each comprising a
standard Ear Interface 18 made to go into the Concha (bowl) of the ear
with loops 16 made to go over the ears and prevent the earbuds from
falling out of the ears. A key failing of this device occurs when the
earbud 18 separates from the ear canal region (reducing the intended
sound from earbud from entering the ear canal while simultaneously
increasing ambient noise transmission) as a result of movement of the
device relative to the ear. This relative movement is frequently caused
by sudden head movements; the device has non-zero mass and therefore,
undergoes said relative motion caused first, by its inertia in the
presence of head motion induced accelerations and; second, by the
anchoring points along the loop which are not co-located with the Ear
Interface 18.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a prior art earbud adapter made by Burton
Technologies, LLC (the product name is Acoustibuds) that also has an
adjustable Ear Interface. This earbud adapter is an in-canal type device
and uses fins, rather than foam, to permit compression, insertion, and
then conformal expansion. The adjustability of this device additionally
allows the user to vary the angle between its earbud interface portion
and the Ear Interface portion. Although Ear Interfaces of this type are
adjustable the product, as manufactured, does not vary from one customer
to another.

[0046] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a full custom earbud adapter made by Starkey
Laboratories, while FIGS. 4a and 4b show a full custom in-ear monitor
also made by Starkey Laboratories. The devices of FIGS. 3 and 4 are both
fabricated using the molding process outlined hereinabove and are made to
order. The adapter of FIG. 3 does not incorporate an acoustic driver
while the in-ear monitor of FIG. 4 does incorporate the driver. Neither
of these devices can be mass produced and both of them are expensive and
time consuming to manufacture,

[0047] FIGS. 5a and 5b are illustrations of a human ear. The features of
particular interest are the Helix 10, Ear Canal 12, Crus of Helix 14 (the
"Crus"), the Tragus 16 and the Anti-Helix 18. As illustrated in FIG. 5b,
these are typical pain points. Devices worn in or on the ear that put
pressure on these anatomical features are known to cause pain, especially
when worn over longer times, for example, an hour or more.

[0048] Refer now to FIG. 5c which is a Venn diagram showing the world of
possible ear anatomies partitioned into smaller, Target Subsets. Unlike
devices with standard Ear Interfaces (which must accommodate the set of
all ear anatomies 50) each instance of earbud adapter or in-ear monitor
of this disclosure need only accommodate a subset (one of 51-57) of
potential ear anatomies, herein called a Target Subset. Multiple variants
of earbud adapters or in-ear monitors are mass produced on scales
consistent with the market size of the variant's Target Subset. For
example, since Target Subset 57 is larger than Target Subset 53, it would
make economic sense to manufacture the earbud adapter or in-ear monitors
that correspond to (optimized for) Target Subset 57 in higher volume than
those that correspond to Target Subset 53. The ensemble of variant Ear
Interface sizes and shapes are able to accommodate substantially all ear
anatomies, however, there will be anatomies 58 that fall out of this
ensemble.

[0049] The user chooses which of the several available sizes and shapes is
optimal for him. This choice can be accomplished manually (by trying all
of them on, for example), with some external assistance (by pre-filtering
based upon a physical measure of the ear, for example), or automatically,
for example as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
61/154,502 (incorporated by reference).

[0050] Because the embodiments of the earbud adapter or in-ear monitor of
this disclosure need only accommodate its corresponding Target Subset
rather than the entire range of anatomies, it can fit that Target Subset
better while simultaneously being more comfortable. Fit, in this context,
means that it will reliably stay in the ear and not fall out or wobble
(even if the wearer is exercising vigorously) and form a good acoustic
seal (to effectively block out ambient sound).

[0051] As stated above, embodiments of the earbud adapter or in-ear
monitor of this disclosure will typically be mass manufactured, but it is
also possible to accommodate those customers who wish to have a product
with a unique color, pattern or electronics (in the case of in-ear
monitor). To do this economically (in comparison to full-custom devices),
the same manufacturing molds that are used for mass production of the
required shape would be employed to make the required number of these
custom devices, possibly only one of them. Thus, the costs of making a
new mold or manually shaping an object are avoided, while the benefits of
some customization are realized.

[0052] The inner surface of the ear canal is known to be sensitive to
pressure, and devices inserted into this portion of the ear anatomy are
prone to causing user discomfort. FIG. 6 is a side view of a semi-custom
earbud adapter 60. The portion of this earbud adapter 61 that enters that
ear canal has a diameter small enough so that portion 61 does not contact
the inner surface of the ear canal over its entire circumference. Portion
61 has walls that are thin enough to permit portion 61 to flex easily.
Thus, the pressure exerted by portion 61 on the inner surface of the ear
canal is minimized, in turn minimizing user discomfort.

[0053] The Tragus is also known to be sensitive to pressure, and devices
that contact this portion of the ear anatomy are prone to causing user
discomfort. Angle 63, dimension 64, and shape of surface portion 62 are
optimized so as to minimize contact with the Tragus of the ear (for the
Target Subset corresponding to any particular variant of earbud adapter
or in-ear monitor), thereby minimizing user discomfort. In the
illustrated embodiment, the angle 63 is about 100 degrees and the
dimension 64 is about 4.50 mm.

[0054] The Crus is also known to be sensitive to pressure, and devices
that press on this portion of the ear anatomy are prone to causing user
discomfort. Refer now to FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 8 which are three views of an
embodiment of an earbud adapter 70 of this disclosure. Earbud adapter 70
has traction features 71 and Crus Relief 72. Crus Relief 72 is a concave
feature in a major surface on some embodiments of the earpieces (earbud
adapters and/or in-ear monitors) of this disclosure that prevents or
reduces pressure exerted on the Crus, in turn minimizing user discomfort.
Portion 72 has walls that are thin enough to permit portion 72 to flex
easily. Thus, the pressure exerted by portion 72 on the Crus of the ear
canal is minimized, in turn minimizing user discomfort. The Crus Relief
72 extends down the major surface illustrated in FIG. 7a and is generally
shaped to accommodate the Crus of the ear canal.

[0055] The traction features 71 is not situated about the entire periphery
of the earbud adapter 70. Traction features 71 of earbud adapter 70 or
in-ear monitors (not illustrated) help to securely attach the earpiece to
the posterior region of the Concha behind the Anti-Helix, an anatomical
region known to have reduced sensitivity to pressure. In the illustrated
embodiment, the traction features 71 are in the form of grooves or
notches formed in a central portion of the earbud 70, and are situated
generally transversely to the surface that defines the Crus Relief 72.
The traction features 71 includes first and second groups that are
situated on opposite sides of the Crus Relief 72. Traction features 71
are designed to help the device stay in the ear, even when the head is
undergoing accelerations, for example, during exercise. The combination
of the above mentioned Ear Interface attributes of in-canal portion 61,
Tragus contact minimization attributes of surface portion 62 and Crus
Relief 72 permit an earbud adapter or in-ear monitor, in accordance with
aspects of this disclosure to be worn comfortably for hours by users
whose anatomies fall into the variant's corresponding Target Subset. The
Ear Interface traction features 71 assure that earbud adapter 70 or
in-ear monitor (not illustrated) will stay in the user's ear without
causing discomfort, even if the user is active, for example, when
running.

[0056] Refer now to FIG. 9, which illustrates an alternative and/or
complimentary way used in some embodiments to avoid placing excessive
pressure on the Crus. The area of earbud adapter 70 corresponding to Crus
Relief 72 is, in illustration, covered with compression foam material 90.
Thus, the earbud adapter 70 of FIG. 9 or a similarly constructed in-ear
monitor (not illustrated), gains stability from the area of the Crus with
minimum pressure and therefore, without causing discomfort.

[0057] The use of foam to contact the Crus does not necessarily preclude
the use of the Crus Relief. The two can be used separately or in
combination.

[0058] It is envisioned that a larger surface, extending beyond the region
of the Crus, of the Ear Interface portion of the earbud adapter or in-ear
monitor of this disclosure can be covered with such compression foam.
This larger contact region allows increased stability and improved
ability to stay in the ear while remaining comfortable.

[0059] Refer now to FIG. 10, where a section view 103 along line A-A 101
illustrates the sound tunnel 102 of an embodiment of an earpiece, such as
the earbud adapter 70. The first portion of the earbud adapter 70 is
constructed to receive an earbud (not illustrated) into an earbud
receiver chamber 107. The first portion has a major surface (see FIG. 7a)
that, in some embodiments, defines the Crus Relief 72, which is generally
a concave depression in the first surface shaped to accommodate the Crus
of the ear. A second portion extends from the first portion and defines a
sound tunnel 102 with an opening at the end thereof.

[0060] The first portion of the earpiece (earbud receiver chamber 107) has
a first central axis or lateral position 105. The second portion of the
earbud adapter 70 that defines the sound tunnel 102 is constructed to
deliver sound to the ear canal through an opening with a second central
axis or lateral position 106. The first and second central axes or
lateral positions 105, 106 are offset from one another, such that the
sound tunnel 102 is operative to laterally displace sound energy a
distance L 104 so that the earbud (not illustrated), when mated to the
earbud adapter 70 and inserted into an ear, will be positioned posterior
to the ear canal. Positioning the earbud posterior to the ear canal,
moves it away from the Tragus.

[0061] Thus, not only is the earbud adapter 70 of this disclosure
constructed to minimize contact with sensitive ear anatomy, it also
positions earbuds (not illustrated) and/or the wires leading to them to
avoid discomfort.

[0062] Although FIG. 10 illustrates only one linear displacement 104, the
sound tunnel 102 and earbud adapter 70 may be constructed to locate the
earbud in any position or angle in order to prevent earbud contact to
sensitive ear anatomy, such positions being limited by the requirements
for good sound fidelity, mechanical stability, user comfort, and visual
appearance.

[0063] The sound tunnel 102 of earbud adapter 70 may be fabricated of
material different than the Ear Interface portion of the earbud adapter,
such material being selected to improve the fidelity of sound delivered
to the user's ear. Similarly, the shape of the sound tunnel 102 is
preferably optimized to deliver high fidelity sound to the ear.

[0065] The compliance chamber 112 is operative to adjust several aspects
of the earbud adapter 70. First, the earbud adapter's acoustic transfer
function (from the earbud to the ear) is affected by the mechanical
parameters of the compliance chamber 112, such as its size, shape,
surface material, and also of any filler material. Therefore, filling the
compliance chamber with varying materials will change this transfer
function. Second, because the wall separating the compliance chamber 112
from the surface that comes in contact with the ear is thin and to some
degree flexible, stiffer or softer filler materials will change the
deformability of that wall. Changing this deformability will change the
way the Ear Interface fit the ear, which will affect comfort and the
amount of ambient sound suppression.

[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 12a and 12b, the compliance chamber 112 is
shown filled with an elastic material 121. The user can select from an
assortment of materials designed to fit into compliance chamber 112, such
assortment allowing the user to adjust the acoustic transfer function or
the compliance of the chamber independently of each other.

[0067] Thus, the user can adjust the subjective quality of fit including
the comfort and the feeling of fullness that some users experience (and
usually dislike) when devices are worn in the ear.

[0068] Additionally, the user can thus affect the tendency of the device
to stay in the ear, including its stability while exercising.

[0069] Additionally, the user can thus affect the amount of ambient sound
suppression (controlled by earbud adapter's seal to the ear anatomy,
which is in turn affected by the compliance chamber's compliance).

[0070] When ambient sound is effectively suppressed, users will prefer to
operate their earbuds or in-ear monitors at lower volumes, as there is a
reduced need to compete with extraneous noise. Lowering this volume has
two benefits; first, the user's ears are exposed to reduced sound
pressure which may reduce sound induced injury to the ears and; second,
the electrical power used to deliver the signal to the earbuds or in-ear
monitors is reduced. This reduction of electrical power is beneficial,
because the battery life in the portable music player or portable
telephone is thereby extended.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 12c, material in the compliance chamber can
extend outside of the overall assembly through a gap 122 in the joint
between earbud adapter 70 and earbud 119 and gap 123 in two surfaces of
the earbud adapter 112. Although gaps 122 and 123 are illustrated in FIG.
12c as being discrete points, the earbud adapter would preferably,
although not necessarily, be constructed so that the gap is continuous
and extends through 360° of rotation about axis 125. This feature
would also help eliminate the wobbling of the device which can be felt
and heard hitting the Anti-Tragus and Tragus. It can also be useful in
keeping the earbud from contacting the ear, thus avoiding said contact
induced noise.

[0072] Thus, varying colors or designs can protrude from compliance
chamber 112 and become visible, permitting the user to adjust the
appearance of the assembly. Such variations might include business logos
or images of school mascots or the like. The material that protrudes from
compliance chamber 112 can be formed so that it extends in any direction.
For example, it can fold back to cover portions of the earbud adapter 70.
Or it could extend substantially outwards to cover earbud 119 or to cover
all or part of the ear. Thus, the user is able to personalize the
appearance of the overall assembly.

[0073] Although FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate compliance chamber 112 in the
context of an earbud adapter, it is envisioned that a similar compliance
chamber can be operative to provide all of the above described functions
for an in-ear monitor, which integrates electronics and an acoustic
emitter. The chamber (not illustrated) enclosing such electronics and
emitter would preferably be formed from a hard material, such as Lucite,
to provide the best acoustic performance.

[0074] Refer now to FIG. 13, where an earbud adapter 70 is operative to
allow a user to comfortably wear an earbud (not illustrated), where the
earbud's diameter is greater than the diameter of the user's Concha. The
diameter of the earbud adapter that fits into the user's Concha is
reduced, for example, by removing material from the earbud at location
131, but it is possible to achieve this goal in a variety of ways.

[0075] Refer now to FIG. 14, where earbud adapter 70 is presented in a
section view to better view aspects of the earbud receiver chamber 107,
which is designed to receive either an Apple iPod style earbud (not
illustrated) or a Motorola Cell Phone headset without additional
components or adjustments.

[0076] The earbud adapter of this disclosure is operative to prevent
damage to earbuds by preventing human perspiration from reaching the
earbud, including particularly, its acoustic and electronics components.

[0077] The earbud adapter and in-ear monitor of this disclosure allows the
user to insert it into the ear using only one hand, as opposed to the two
hands required to insert a full custom ear adapter or an adapter based on
a compliant portion both of which are made to be inserted into the ear
canal.

[0078] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that
a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be
substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without
departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is
intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific
embodiments discussed herein. Therefore it is intended that this
invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.